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[attr="class","textbox"]Had Genny forgotten?[break][break]

Isaac knew that the memories of Galar could be oh so fleeting. Even he found them slipping, no matter how hard he fought to keep hold of them. The dream bottles he studied before bed grew fuzzier with each night. The faces on the locket he kept close were starting to blur. Most hadn't fought nearly so hard. Did they remember Galar? Or did those days simply haunt them from afar?[break][break]

Maybe Genny forgot because there was nothing for her to remember. She'd been alone, and she'd been hurt, and she'd let that bleed into her waking life. Now that it started to fade, her smile shined through the lingering frosts. She didn't need Galar. Not how Isaac did. It was a chain holding her back, and he was happy to let it clatter to the ground behind her.[break][break]

"Not paperwork duty," he jokingly groaned. "But, hey. If work's boring, just means you've got energy to spare, yeah? Means you can chase some fun excitement instead of stressing over a busy workday." It sure beat ending up a stressed mess at work and spending the rest of her time flopped on a couch.[break][break]

Ah, shit. Now it was his turn, huh?[break][break]

"I've never been good at this part," he admitted, a soft sigh escaping him. "Let's just say I haven't had the chance to settle down in a long, long time. Too much to do. Too many fires to put out. Every day, it's something or another. Feels like this carnival's the first time the region's had the chance to take a breath." Ugh. He couldn't keep dancing around this. Not forever.[break][break]

"You know Caleb, yeah?"

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[attr="class","textbox"]"Seens like a nice place to put down roots, at least." Not as bustling as Slateport or Mauville. Not as isolated as Dewford or Mossdeep. If one was living in one of Hoenn's lsrger cities, Lilycove seemed pretty ideal. "Been enjoying your stay?"[break][break]

Staying in one spot was hard for Isaac. The closest thing he had to a home was full of ghosts, as well as a roommate that qas almost never home. Sometimes Isaac wondered if they'd just forgotten they lived there. He did, too, at times. They were both naturally roamers, their home just a backup plan.[break][break]

A part of him wondered if he'd ever settle.[break][break]

Unfortunately, he couldn't. Not with one last job still hanging over his head. Despite what a drunken crush indicated, Genny had no recollection of Caleb. Had she only encountered him in Galar? It made sense. He was the king of the wilds. While Isaac was stuck at home, he'd had far more chances to see those outside Motostoke's borders. Faintly, Isaac could remember being jealous of his reach.[break][break]

"One of my best." There was far more history there than poor Genny ever needed to be burdened by. "But he's gone missing, and I've been running myself ragged trying to find him, because-"[break][break]

Because it was his fault, his tie to Rocket dragging him back into this hell. Because he wasn't the person Genny thought he was. Because his secrets and burdens would tear his life to pieces and ruin everyone he's ever loved. Because he needed to atone for his wrongs, no matter the price he'd pay.[break][break]

"-Someone has to, right?"

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[attr="class","textbox"]"It's funny. Never thought I was the quiet type." Living in sleepy Lavaridge had been hell. Sure, a big chunk of that was the godawful father looming over his life, but, details. "But after the kind of year we've had? Yeah, no. Starting to think it doesn't sound half bad."[break][break]

He'd be lying if he said he hadn't missed Petalburg lately.[break][break]

The ride ground to a halt, but he hadn't gotten off. He knew there was no escaping the wild ride he'd been on. Luckily, Genny's outstretched hand brought him back to his senses. He looked up, realizing how strange the sight was. He was so used to being towered over that he forgot Genny was someone he could see eye to eye with.[break][break]

He followed her example. Deep in, deep out, his hand wrapped around hers for stability. He was already standing, but it didn't feel right to let go. Not yet. Not until their soft, gentle breaths synced up, the stress ebbing away from them both.[break][break]

A part of him wondered if now was the time to tell her, but he didn't want to ruin this day. She'd learn soon enough, anyway.[break][break]

"You're right. I can't lose my head over this." Carnivals turned to scouting missions. Learning a poisoner's art so he could linger in Sootopolis. He was doing too much, too fast. Wheels within wheels. How could his search ever bear fruit? "Maybe I'll let myself slow down. Just this once."[break][break]

After all, there was still so much night to enjoy.